The Welcome W. Chandler chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas is hosting a Wreaths Across America Veteran’s Poster Display at the Brown County Museum of History, Nov. 1-11, culminating with a Veteran’s Day Program at 10 a.m. at the museum on Nov. 11.

The DRT chapter sponsors the Wreaths Across America program in Brown County. Wreaths Across America is a program whose mission is to Remember, Honor and Teach by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 3,400 locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad.

“Our goal is to lay a wreath at every veteran’s grave in Greenleaf Cemetery, and there are about 2000 veteran’s graves there. We have veterans from as far back as the Texas Revolution, to the Civil War, the Spanish American war, to WWI, WWII, and up to present day,” said Dr. Julie Welker, president of the Welcome W. Chandler DRT chapter.

The Veteran’s Poster Display highlights 12 posters featuring 17 different Brown County veterans, including Noah T. Byars, one of the founding fathers of the Republic of Texas, Brownwood, and Howard Payne University. The veterans highlighted include Dr. Homer Allen, Eldridge Bailey, Joe Blagg, Noah T. Byars, Aubrey Ray Goodwin, Harriette Graves, Roland Graves, Joe Harper, David Harper, Lonnie Holland, John H. Martin Jr., John H. Martin III, Willard Alton Perry, Jr., Joey Stalcup, John Thomas, J.L. Thomas, and Howard Wood.

Wars represented in the posters include the Texas Revolution, Spanish American War, WWII Korean War, Viet Nam, Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom), and Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom).

Mary Lee Bailey Shelton, DRT member and coordinator of Wreaths Across America for Brown County, said that the event is to help feature our local veterans and bring attention to the purpose of the Wreaths Across America program.

“The stories of our Brown County heroes are stunning. Please visit the museum’s DRT poster exhibit and learn about these heroes who have walked among us. Their service deserves recognition and purchasing wreaths is such an easy way to honor them and thank them for our freedom,” Shelton said.

The display at the museum will be open during regular museum operating hours, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Patrons can purchase wreaths by visiting www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/TX1050P, or by mailing a check to Welcome W. Chandler DRT chapter, C/O Nancy Lowry, treasurer, PO Box 272, Bangs, Texas, 76823.

Corporate sponsorships are available as well. Sponsorship levels include: Noah T. Byars – $1,005 – 67 wreaths; Greenleaf Fisk – $105 – 7 wreaths; Texan of Distinction – $75 – 5 wreaths; and Lone Star Sponsor – $15 — one wreath.

The Veterans’ Day Program will be held on Friday, Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. at the museum.

Patron sponsorships will help the Welcome W. Chandler Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas reach their goal of honoring all 2,000 veterans buried at Brownwood’s Greenleaf Cemetery. Sponsors may also designate wreaths to be placed at Eastlawn Cemetery as well.

The Welcome W. Chandler chapter will host the wreath laying ceremony at Greenleaf Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 11 a.m. The community is welcome to attend the program and help lay wreaths following the ceremony.

“Laying a wreath on these warriors’ graves, saying their names and thanking them for their service is an emotional, moving act. To experience this rewarding celebration of our country and our men and women who served, join DRT at the wreath-laying ceremony Saturday, Dec. 17, at Greenleaf,” Shelton said.

For more information, contact DRT member Mary Lee Bailey Shelton at [email protected].